Kortec - Efficient Coating Systems

What Is The Most Efficient Water-Based Coating System For Furniture?

What Is The Most Efficient Water-Based Coating System For Furniture?

It's no surprise that the furniture industry is making the significant switch to water-based coatings. But the real question lies in which water-based coating system proves to be the best...

Water-based coatings have been subject to much research and development over the past 25 years. The automotive finishing industry moved to water-based around 15 years ago and has not looked back!

So what is the best water-based wood coating system for furniture?

Due to the extensive range of water-based coatings available, it is not easy to give a definitive answer to this - it is dependent upon the criteria you are trying to meet.

Fibrous Substrate Challenges

One of the most widely used substrates in the furniture industry is moisture-resistant MDF.

There are a number of variations of this material but they all have the same challenge when it comes to using  water-based coatings – the raising of the fibres giving it a ‘wood chip’ type appearance.

Primer - One or Two Coats?

Two coats of primer are essential to provide a complete seal of the fibrous MDF substrate to give a good base for a smooth topcoat finish. 

Traditionally the first coat is sanded smooth prior to applying the second coat, but higher solid content primers can enable both coats to be applied within 30-45 minutes and then sanded before top coating.

The latter option must be left overnight to fully settle/cure but has the advantage of removing a sanding process,  increasing the efficiency of the system.

Even less fibrous timber substrates such as Tulip WoodMaple or Beech will give a far superior finish if two coats of primer are applied.

Topcoat - the Optimum Finish

To achieve a smooth finish on primed fibrous materials the general requirement is to apply two topcoats to hide any minor imperfections not necessarily visible in the primer. 

Lower gloss levels and/or lighter colours often give an acceptable finish with only one coat if the primer has been well-cured and thoroughly sanded.

Often the solid surfaces will only require one coat to provide a high-quality finish but the darker, less forgiving colours benefit from two coats. One option to balance quality with efficiency is to apply two topcoats to the front face and just one to the inside face.

Non-Fibrous Substrates

Many doors and panels, particularly in kitchen manufacturing, are already coated with a UV-cured or polyester primer or are faced with melamine or PVC foil.


Due to their non-absorbent surfaces, 
no primer wood coating is required but the smooth /hard substrates can create adhesion challenges.

In some scenarios, we recommend the use of a special adhesion promoter wipe, which can simply be applied by hand using a lint-free rag. This removes any surface waxes/grease and slightly etches the panel to eliminate any reactions and give optimum adhesion.

Clear Water-Based Lacquer

When it comes to clear lacquer, again there are a number of variables to consider. For an open grain finish, 2 coats is an effective system, whether onto veneer, solid timber, or pre-stained substrate.

If a filled grain finish is required, then a third coat may be necessary. To prepare certain coarse-grain timbers such as oak, sanding across the grain can help achieve a much smoother finish, compared to simply sanding with the grain.

Whilst most water-based lacquers are single-pack products, additional durability can be achieved with two-pack polyurethane options but these do have pot life and health and safety challenges.

What Is The Most Efficient Water-Based Coating System For Furniture?

The above overview should provide you with some insights into the different water-based wood coatings systems available, as well as the key factors to consider when selecting your preferred system.

Here at Kortec, we focus on each client’s specific criteria meaning we don’t have a “one product fits all” approach.

Even though there is not an easy answer to cover 'the best' water-based coatings for every system within the industry, be assured that Kortec is able to work closely with you to create the most efficient water-based coating system to suit your business.

Stay in the loop

Receive Regular Newsletters Straight To Your Inbox
Be the first to receive all the latest articles, tips, tricks, quizzes, calculators, industry advice & news that will land straight into your email inbox!
****** Sign up form to go here *****

Case Study: Marpatt

Delivering industry-leading finish & shorter lead times.Our initial conversations with Marpatt centred on their strategic decision to offer a high gloss finish to their clients to complement their other contemporary…

Case Study: deVOL Kitchens

Previously facing issues of batch-to-batch colour consistency causing too many production disruptions.deVOL has been a renowned design-led furniture manufacturer for almost 30 years. From dealing with issues of inconsistency, they…

Case Study: Tom Howley

An initial desire to reduce VOC emissions resulted in a successful reduction, whilst developing a more user-friendly process.Tom Howley has established an exceptional reputation for creating exquisite kitchen designs that…

Case Study: Symphony Group

Issues with the switch to water-based products with poor standards and batch-to-batch consistency.In an attempt to move away from solvent-based coatings, Symphony Group found a water-based coatings supplier yet faced…

Case Study: Charles Yorke

From dealing with adhesion & durability struggles to zero issues for 365 days and counting...Charles Yorke specialises in producing bespoke handcrafted kitchen, bedroom & bathroom furniture. Before working with Kortec,…

Case Study: Fine Rooms & Interiors

"By working with Kortec, we were able to move away from our traditional solvent-based paint, whilst maintaining our finish quality"AnalysisAssessing all aspects of the coatings processFine Rooms had historically used…

Case Study: Bespoke Building & Joinery

Finding a fire-rated lacquer system suitable for the specification and tight production.AnalysisInvestigating the specification required…From the analysis stage conducted by Kortec it became apparent that our client Bespoke Building &…

Case Study: Harvey George

“We managed to seal and prime 8 hours’ worth of spraying in just 45 minutes!”AnalysisA thorough efficiency assessment of the current process When we first met Harvey George, they were using 2-pack…
Book A FREE Discover Session

Take The Next Step Towards Improving Your Coating Processes

Discover the potential to optimise your finishing for maximum efficiency.
Increase Your Productivity Icon

Increase Your

Productivity

Improve Your Profitability Icon

Improve Your

Profitability

Enhance Your Performance Icon

Enhance Your

Performance

Kortec - Efficient Coating Systems - Logo
When it comes to coating systems, you can't afford to take chances.  Kortec's approach is tested and proven to work.
Zenith Point, Belmore Way
Westside Park, Derby DE21 7AZ.
Phone: 0333 123 8747
Email: info@kortec.co.uk
Customer Feedback